Music Business Hacks

One of my biggest pet peeves as a performer is a band who doesn’t know how to soundcheck properly. It shouldn’t be - it usually reflects inexperience and ignorance rather than disrespect and apathy. The truth is that most bands are taught how to soundcheck, it’s just a skill that gets picked up along the way. Despite this, the soundcheck is often an indicator of the professionalism of the band. Here are some tools that can help you: Creating a Stage Plot/Tech Rider/Input List: Stage Plot Pro Reverb Nation Pro Sonicbids Touring Musician Essentials: These are some things that you might consider carrying with your band at all times: Additional vocal mics (I recommend the Shure SM58 or the Beta 58 for tight stages) Extra XLR cables (Kirlin cables provide the best bang for the buck) Extra ¼” guitar cables (I like the Kirlin stage series cable) DI boxes (Behringer DI boxes are a good choice for backup unit) Power strips (Get an industrial strength one like this) Heavy and medium duty extension cables (lower

This week, we focused a lot of storytelling - that's because it is so important and can impact nearly every area of your music business career! To review the week, check out our episodes: Episode 97 - Storytelling pt. 1: Creating an Emotional Arc Episode 98 - Storytelling pt. 2: Writing Great Lyrics (with advice from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Lin-Manual Miranda, and Leonard Cohen) Episode 99 - Storytelling pt. 3: How to Write a Better Biography Episode 100 - Storytelling pt. 4: Making a Better Live Show with Story Episode 101 - Storytelling pt. 5: How to Use Storytelling Techniques in Social Media and Marketing Episode 102 - Interview with Joe X. Jiang on How Filmmakers Use Story (and What Musicians Can Learn From Them)

In today's episode, we speak with director, editor, and guitarist Joe X. Jiang on the art of storytelling and how the world of film can teach us more about songwriting and performance - not to mention improving the video content that supports your music. Resources: Article: How Calvin & Hobbes Inspired a Generation Books: The Complete Calvin & Hobbes Collection My Beloved World (autobiography by Justice Sonia Sotomayor) Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (by David Sedaris) Films to Watch: The Godfather Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind The Florida Project Favorite Gear: Macbook Pro (for editing, producing, writing and pretty much 75% of his creative work) Faded Gibson SG(the guitar thats been in every musical project he's played in) Panasonic Lumix G series camera (the beginning of his backpack filmmaking kit) Links and things: The Slants (our band) Track Town Records (recording studio) Music Videos Directed by Joe: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2d7E2wkbM[/embed] [embed]https:

Is the trend of telling stories and marketing a hype? Let's talk about how you can use the tools of story - and storytelling - to make your social media memorable, engaged, and interesting.

Many musicians think of the live show as an opportunity to showcase their songs but that’s a mistake, it’s so much more. If it was only about the songs being shared, then Spotify or YouTube would do just fine. The live show is an experience. And like all performing arts, it benefits the most would it is shared through the trappings of a story. Resources: Episode 4: Don't Practice. Rehearse Instead Episode 44: How to Work a Crowd

Most artist biographies are terrible. They sound more like a collection of achievements or include details that no one cares about. However, you can change that by using the power of story.

Things rarely go exactly as planned on stage. There are often setbacks - instruments go knocked out of tune, the monitors don’t sound right (or the venue lacks monitors entirely), someone forgets their parts - you got the idea. However, many of the typical obstacles can be overcome with the proper attitude and a little preparation.

Today, we talk about songwriting secrets gleaned from the art of storytelling. To help with best practices, we'll get advice from Jason Blume and Andrea Stople, as well as songwriting giants such as Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. We'll also cover songs from Eminem and Taylor Swift. Resources: Six Steps to Songwriting Success by Jason Blume Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling by Andrea Stolpe

We all want to learn how to tell better stories. From comedians to writers, the art of storytelling hooks an audience in a way that keeps them coming back. This week, we learn how to become better at the craft and apply it to some unexpected areas. Resources: My favorite books on storytelling: The Moth Presents: All These Wonders Wired for Story The Storytelling Animal The Art of Storytelling Article: Seth Godin: How to Tell a Great Story Videos on Storytelling: Andrew Stanton's TED talk: The Clues to a Great Story [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxDwieKpawg[/embed] Jonathan Gottschall's TEDxFurmanU talk: The Storytelling Animal: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhd0XdedLpY[/embed] Kevin Hart's 3 Secrets to Hilarious Storytelling: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn_L4OPU_rg&t=359s[/embed]

This week, we spent a lot of time building the case for developing more effective systems: better email, live shows, and processes to get your best content out there - as well as - how you can use an audience centric method to make sure your music resonates. We capped it off with an extended interview/discussion with Rick Barker. Check out the episodes: Episode 91: 5 Ways to Guarantee Your Emails Will be Read  Episode 92: 5 Tips to Get Your Music Licensed for TV, Film, and Video Games Episode 93: How to Use Focus Groups to Choose Songs for Your Next Album Episode 94: 2 Things Holding Artists Back at Live Shows Episode 95: Rick Barker, Former Taylor Swift Manager & Music Industry Blueprint Founder on His Best Advice

Today, we speak with music industry guru, Rick Barker. From formerly managing Taylor Swift to founding the Music Industry Blueprint podcast, Rick is a powerhouse of knowledge for independent artists. Get his book, The $150,000 Music Degree for free at www.rickbarker.com Check out his podcast, Music Industry Blueprint Resources & Recommendations: Audio book streaming service - Audible Most influential books: Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk How to Make it in the New Music Business by Ari Herstand Start With Why by Simon Sinek You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero If people want to learn more about my case: The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: https://on.cc.com/2tWRJAf Rolling Stone profile: https://rol.st/2KxEaQQ Also, check out Algora Pulse Social Media Tests (their podcast show is called Social Media Lab)

How you can take every situation, whether it is karaoke night or playing Madison Square Gardens, to show that you are a star.

A few years ago, I thought of a new way to select songs for an album I was releasing: by treating it like a songwriting contest. I realized how a focus group could be a powerful way to not only get feedback, but to get engagement.

There’s a wealth of information out there on how to get your music into video games, on films, tv shows, commercials, and other opportunities. In today's episode, I want to cover my favorite tips to help get you started.  Resources: Music Licensing Agencies to Check Out: Audiodraft Audiosocket Beatpick Broadjam Getty Images Music iStock Audio Mangatune Marmoset Ricall Rumblefish Sentric Music YouLicense The Best Books on Music Licensing: The Musician's Guide to Licensing Music: How to Get Your Music into Film, TV, Advertising, Digital Media & Beyond by Darren Wilsey (the best overall guide) Your Music Licensing Handbook by Paul Curtis - (for less than $5, it provides a decent overview) The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing: What You Need to Know About Protecting and Profiting from Music Copyrights by Randall Wixen (not exclusively about licensing but very good info for all artists)  

Today, the average open rate for an email is 10%. The average click through rate for music is 2.5% (of the emails that are actually opened).  With social media becoming the “new email,” it is likely that rates for Facebook event invites are close, if not lower. People seem to find a new trend in communication and then proceed to saturate it with the same poor tactics that gave them low responses to begin with. Here’s the secret: changing the medium won’t improve conversions, clicks, or interest. Changing the message will. So how do you get someone to read your messages? Today, we talk about 5 specific things you can do to guarantee that your emails will be read.

You have the ability to unlock your full potential as an artist. It just requires 3 main things: Changing your perspective Building new habits in light of your goals Dedicate time to work on what needs to be done Today, we talk about some of the best ideas that will help get you there.

In today's interview, we speak with country chart topping star, Madelyn Victoria. From viral videos to performing with acts like the Jonas Brothers, this beauty pageant winner, model, and San Antonio native shares her story and secrets on Music Business Hacks. Resources & Recommendations:  Book: Cash by Johnny Cash Guide to Facebook Ads and Boosting Microphone: Shure SM58 Madelyn Victoria's I Can Be Your Señorita music video: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj9t13yNYtM[/embed]

In today's episode, we talk about the importance of creating unique events to engage with fans both offline and online. How can you become more creative with your fan engagement strategy? Resource: Check out Storify here.

Today, we talk about 3 common mistakes that many of us make that ends up hurting us: burning bridges, acting self-entitled, and blaming others. Related: Episode 72 - 6 Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Diva

Today, I answer questions about the most common myths in regards to touring and booking. If you feel pretty good about all of these, then check out this article I wrote to help you for the next stage: How to Get More Pay for Live Gigs.  You might also check out episode 52, How to Negotiate Better Performance Fees.